Dunklin County embezzlement scandal: Korey and Jennifer Adams accused of stealing more than $150,000

NEW MADRID, Mo. - A Malden man accused of embezzling a sizeable sum from the Dunklin County Sewer District faces a jury regarding the alleged crimes later this year.

34th Judicial District Circuit Court Presiding Judge Joshua D. Underwood on Dec. 10 scheduled the 10 a.m. Jan. 28, hearing for Korey Adams, 51, of 3932 E. Sue Dr., Malden.

Adams' jury trial is slated for 9 a.m. Sept. 3 in Underwood's courtroom at New Madrid, according to court records.

Adams' wife, Jennifer Adams, faces identical charges and appeared at Butler County Circuit Court at 1 p.m. on Jan. 28 before Presiding Judge Kacey. L. Proctor, according to court records.

She was ordered to appear before Proctor at 1 p.m. Feb. 18, court records indicate.

Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain in an amended filing accused the Adams' of 15 counts of felony stealing $750 or more and three counts of felony stealing $25,000 or more from the Dunklin County Sewer District during the Adams' tenures as its board of directors president, its secretary and the district's bookkeeper.

Jain in August 2022 requested the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigate theft allegations after Missouri Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick released a report that indicated the couple embezzled more than $100,000 from the district and siphoned off more than $54,000 in overpayments to Jennifer Adams alone.

Probable Cause affidavits filed with the court allege the husband and wife duo violated the Missouri Constitution and mismanaged the district for years, resulting in at least $62,579 in missing or misappropriated funds, additional missing money estimated to be at least $98,096, and the district being placed in receivership.

The audit, which was requested by the City of Malden, offered the sewer district a rating of “poor” and recommended the city continue to work with law enforcement officials regarding criminal prosecution of the missing and misappropriated money and services, according to reports.

Both Adams' are free by posting $45,000 surety bonds, according to court documents.